diff --git a/xbmc/AppParamParser.cpp b/xbmc/AppParamParser.cpp
index 064671e9f4c52..08f4dad468b12 100644
--- a/xbmc/AppParamParser.cpp
+++ b/xbmc/AppParamParser.cpp
@@ -26,12 +26,10 @@
 #include "settings/AdvancedSettings.h"
 #include "utils/log.h"
 #include "utils/StringUtils.h"
+#include "input/InputManager.h"
 #ifdef TARGET_WINDOWS
 #include "WIN32Util.h"
 #endif
-#ifdef HAS_LIRC
-#include "input/linux/LIRC.h"
-#endif
 #ifndef TARGET_WINDOWS
 #include "linux/XTimeUtils.h"
 #endif
@@ -49,23 +47,22 @@ void CAppParamParser::Parse(const char* argv[], int nArgs)
     for (int i = 1; i < nArgs; i++)
     {
       ParseArg(argv[i]);
-#ifdef HAS_LIRC
       if (strnicmp(argv[i], "-l", 2) == 0 || strnicmp(argv[i], "--lircdev", 9) == 0)
       {
         // check the next arg with the proper value.
-        int next=i+1;
+        int next = i + 1;
         if (next < nArgs)
         {
-          if ((argv[next][0] != '-' ) && (argv[next][0] == '/' ))
+          if ((argv[next][0] != '-') && (argv[next][0] == '/'))
           {
-            g_RemoteControl.setDeviceName(argv[next]);
+            CInputManager::Get().SetRemoteControlName(argv[next]);
             i++;
           }
         }
       }
       else if (strnicmp(argv[i], "-n", 2) == 0 || strnicmp(argv[i], "--nolirc", 8) == 0)
-         g_RemoteControl.setUsed(false);
-#endif
+        CInputManager::Get().DisableRemoteControl();
+
       if (stricmp(argv[i], "-d") == 0)
       {
         if (i + 1 < nArgs)
diff --git a/xbmc/Application.cpp b/xbmc/Application.cpp
index 7c32f3c164f79..396a324343506 100644
--- a/xbmc/Application.cpp
+++ b/xbmc/Application.cpp
@@ -237,13 +237,6 @@
 #include "XHandle.h"
 #endif
 
-#ifdef HAS_LIRC
-#include "input/linux/LIRC.h"
-#endif
-#ifdef HAS_IRSERVERSUITE
-  #include "input/windows/IRServerSuite.h"
-#endif
-
 #if defined(TARGET_ANDROID)
 #include "android/activity/XBMCApp.h"
 #include "android/activity/AndroidFeatures.h"
@@ -727,16 +720,11 @@ bool CApplication::Create()
     CLog::Log(LOGFATAL, "CApplication::Create: Unable to start CAddonMgr");
     return false;
   }
-#if defined(HAS_LIRC) || defined(HAS_IRSERVERSUITE)
-  g_RemoteControl.Initialize();
-#endif
 
   g_peripherals.Initialise();
 
   // Create the Mouse, Keyboard, Remote, and Joystick devices
   // Initialize after loading settings to get joystick deadzone setting
-  
-
   CInputManager::Get().InitializeInputs();
 
 #if defined(TARGET_DARWIN_OSX)
@@ -2474,16 +2462,8 @@ void CApplication::FrameMove(bool processEvents, bool processGUI)
     }
     CWinEvents::MessagePump();
 
-#if defined(HAS_LIRC) || defined(HAS_IRSERVERSUITE)
-    // Read the input from a remote
-    g_RemoteControl.Update();
-#endif
+    CInputManager::Get().Process(g_windowManager.GetActiveWindowID(), frameTime);
 
-    // process input actions
-    CInputManager::Get().ProcessRemote(g_windowManager.GetActiveWindowID());
-    CInputManager::Get().ProcessGamepad(g_windowManager.GetActiveWindowID());
-    CInputManager::Get().ProcessEventServer(g_windowManager.GetActiveWindowID(), frameTime);
-    CInputManager::Get().ProcessPeripherals(frameTime);
     if (processGUI && m_renderGUI)
     {
       m_pInertialScrollingHandler->ProcessInertialScroll(frameTime);
@@ -2508,10 +2488,8 @@ bool CApplication::Cleanup()
 
     CAddonMgr::Get().DeInit();
 
-#if defined(HAS_LIRC) || defined(HAS_IRSERVERSUITE)
     CLog::Log(LOGNOTICE, "closing down remote control service");
-    g_RemoteControl.Disconnect();
-#endif
+    CInputManager::Get().DisableRemoteControl();
 
     CLog::Log(LOGNOTICE, "unload sections");
 
@@ -4323,10 +4301,7 @@ void CApplication::ProcessSlow()
 
   g_mediaManager.ProcessEvents();
 
-#ifdef HAS_LIRC
-  if (g_RemoteControl.IsInUse() && !g_RemoteControl.IsInitialized())
-    g_RemoteControl.Initialize();
-#endif
+  CInputManager::Get().EnableRemoteControl();
 
   if (!m_pPlayer->IsPlayingVideo() &&
       CSettings::Get().GetInt("general.addonupdates") != AUTO_UPDATES_NEVER)
diff --git a/xbmc/cores/ExternalPlayer/ExternalPlayer.cpp b/xbmc/cores/ExternalPlayer/ExternalPlayer.cpp
index afc1206f0f78f..52e15be6d8d7e 100644
--- a/xbmc/cores/ExternalPlayer/ExternalPlayer.cpp
+++ b/xbmc/cores/ExternalPlayer/ExternalPlayer.cpp
@@ -39,15 +39,10 @@
 #include "utils/TimeUtils.h"
 #include "utils/log.h"
 #include "cores/AudioEngine/AEFactory.h"
+#include "input/InputManager.h"
 #if defined(TARGET_WINDOWS)
   #include "utils/CharsetConverter.h"
   #include "Windows.h"
-  #ifdef HAS_IRSERVERSUITE
-    #include "input/windows/IRServerSuite.h"
-  #endif
-#endif
-#if defined(HAS_LIRC)
-  #include "input/linux/LIRC.h"
 #endif
 #if defined(TARGET_ANDROID)
   #include "android/activity/XBMCApp.h"
@@ -466,18 +461,14 @@ BOOL CExternalPlayer::ExecuteAppW32(const char* strPath, const char* strSwitches
 BOOL CExternalPlayer::ExecuteAppLinux(const char* strSwitches)
 {
   CLog::Log(LOGNOTICE, "%s: %s", __FUNCTION__, strSwitches);
-#ifdef HAS_LIRC
-  bool remoteused = g_RemoteControl.IsInUse();
-  g_RemoteControl.Disconnect();
-  g_RemoteControl.setUsed(false);
-#endif
+
+  bool remoteUsed = CInputManager::Get().IsRemoteControlEnabled();
+  CInputManager::Get().DisableRemoteControl();
 
   int ret = system(strSwitches);
 
-#ifdef HAS_LIRC
-  g_RemoteControl.setUsed(remoteused);
-  g_RemoteControl.Initialize();
-#endif
+  if (remoteUsed)
+    CInputManager::Get().EnableRemoteControl();
 
   if (ret != 0)
   {
diff --git a/xbmc/input/InputManager.cpp b/xbmc/input/InputManager.cpp
index 5e2ebc915cab0..0efb501168670 100644
--- a/xbmc/input/InputManager.cpp
+++ b/xbmc/input/InputManager.cpp
@@ -83,6 +83,10 @@ CInputManager& CInputManager::Get()
 
 void CInputManager::InitializeInputs()
 {
+#if defined(HAS_LIRC) || defined(HAS_IRSERVERSUITE)
+  m_RemoteControl.Initialize();
+#endif
+
 #ifdef HAS_SDL_JOYSTICK
   // Pass the mapping of axis to triggers to m_Joystick 
   m_Joystick.Initialize();
@@ -206,10 +210,10 @@ bool CInputManager::ProcessGamepad(int windowId)
 bool CInputManager::ProcessRemote(int windowId)
 {
 #if defined(HAS_LIRC) || defined(HAS_IRSERVERSUITE)
-  if (g_RemoteControl.GetButton())
+  if (m_RemoteControl.GetButton())
   {
-    CKey key(g_RemoteControl.GetButton(), g_RemoteControl.GetHoldTime());
-    g_RemoteControl.Reset();
+    CKey key(m_RemoteControl.GetButton(), m_RemoteControl.GetHoldTime());
+    m_RemoteControl.Reset();
     return OnKey(key);
   }
 #endif
@@ -393,6 +397,22 @@ bool CInputManager::ProcessEventServer(int windowId, float frameTime)
   return false;
 }
 
+bool CInputManager::Process(int windowId, float frameTime)
+{
+#if defined(HAS_LIRC) || defined(HAS_IRSERVERSUITE)
+  // Read the input from a remote
+  m_RemoteControl.Update();
+#endif
+
+  // process input actions
+  ProcessRemote(windowId);
+  ProcessGamepad(windowId);
+  ProcessEventServer(windowId, frameTime);
+  ProcessPeripherals(frameTime);
+  
+  return true;
+}
+
 bool CInputManager::ProcessJoystickEvent(int windowId, const std::string& joystickName, int wKeyID, short inputType, float fAmount, unsigned int holdTime /*=0*/)
 {
 #if defined(HAS_EVENT_SERVER)
@@ -666,6 +686,36 @@ bool CInputManager::ExecuteInputAction(const CAction &action)
   return bResult;
 }
 
+int CInputManager::ExecuteBuiltin(const std::string& execute, const std::vector<std::string>& params)
+{
+#if defined(HAS_LIRC) || defined(HAS_IRSERVERSUITE)
+  if (execute == "lirc.stop")
+  {
+    m_RemoteControl.Disconnect();
+    m_RemoteControl.setUsed(false);
+  }
+  else if (execute == "lirc.start")
+  {
+    m_RemoteControl.setUsed(true);
+    m_RemoteControl.Initialize();
+  }
+  else if (execute == "lirc.send")
+  {
+    std::string command;
+    for (int i = 0; i < (int)params.size(); i++)
+    {
+      command += params[i];
+      if (i < (int)params.size() - 1)
+        command += ' ';
+    }
+    m_RemoteControl.AddSendCommand(command);
+  }
+  else
+    return -1;
+#endif
+  return 0;
+}
+
 void CInputManager::SetMouseActive(bool active /* = true */)
 {
   m_Mouse.SetActive(active);
@@ -700,3 +750,36 @@ void CInputManager::SetMouseState(MOUSE_STATE mouseState)
 {
   m_Mouse.SetState(mouseState);
 }
+
+bool CInputManager::IsRemoteControlEnabled()
+{
+#if defined(HAS_LIRC) || defined(HAS_IRSERVERSUITE)
+  return m_RemoteControl.IsInUse();
+#else
+  return false;
+#endif
+}
+
+void CInputManager::EnableRemoteControl()
+{
+#if defined(HAS_LIRC) || defined(HAS_IRSERVERSUITE)
+  m_RemoteControl.setUsed(true);
+  if (!m_RemoteControl.IsInitialized())
+    m_RemoteControl.Initialize();
+#endif
+}
+
+void CInputManager::DisableRemoteControl()
+{
+#if defined(HAS_LIRC) || defined(HAS_IRSERVERSUITE)
+  m_RemoteControl.Disconnect();
+  m_RemoteControl.setUsed(false);
+#endif
+}
+
+void CInputManager::SetRemoteControlName(const std::string& name)
+{
+#if defined(HAS_LIRC)
+  m_RemoteControl.setDeviceName(name);
+#endif
+}
diff --git a/xbmc/input/InputManager.h b/xbmc/input/InputManager.h
index d86fbf9ababfd..a2e75128f8289 100644
--- a/xbmc/input/InputManager.h
+++ b/xbmc/input/InputManager.h
@@ -21,12 +21,20 @@
 
 #include <map>
 #include <string>
+#include <vector>
 
 #if defined(TARGET_WINDOWS)
 #include "input/windows/WINJoystick.h"
 #elif defined(HAS_SDL_JOYSTICK) || defined(HAS_EVENT_SERVER)
 #include "input/SDLJoystick.h"
 #endif
+#if defined(HAS_LIRC)
+#include "input/linux/LIRC.h"
+#endif
+#if defined(HAS_IRSERVERSUITE)
+#include "input/windows/IRServerSuite.h"
+#endif
+
 #include "windowing/XBMC_events.h"
 #include "guilib/Key.h"
 #include "input/KeyboardStat.h"
@@ -83,6 +91,14 @@ class CInputManager
   */
   bool ProcessPeripherals(float frameTime);
 
+  /*! \brief Process all inputs
+   *
+   * \param windowId Currently active window
+   * \param frameTime Time in seconds since last call
+   * \return true on success, false otherwise
+   */
+  bool Process(int windowId, float frameTime);
+
   /*!
    * \brief Call once during application startup to initialize peripherals that need it
    */
@@ -164,6 +180,38 @@ class CInputManager
    */
   void SetMouseResolution(int maxX, int maxY, float speedX, float speedY);
 
+  /*! \brief Enable the remote control
+   *
+   */
+  void EnableRemoteControl();
+
+  /*! \brief Disable the remote control
+   *
+   */
+  void DisableRemoteControl();
+
+  /*! \brief Check if the remote control is enabled
+   *
+   * \return true if remote control is enabled, false otherwise 
+   */
+  bool IsRemoteControlEnabled();
+
+  /*! \brief Set the device name to use with LIRC, does nothing 
+   *   if IRServerSuite is used
+   *
+   * \param[in] name Name of the device to use with LIRC
+   */
+  void SetRemoteControlName(const std::string& name);
+
+  /*! \brief Parse a builtin command and execute any input action
+   *  currently only LIRC commands implemented
+   *
+   * \param[in] execute Command to execute
+   * \param[in] params  parameters that was passed to the command
+   * \return 0 on success, -1 on failure
+   */
+  int ExecuteBuiltin(const std::string& execute, const std::vector<std::string>& params);
+
 private:
 
   /*! \brief Process keyboard event and translate into an action
@@ -195,6 +243,10 @@ class CInputManager
   CKeyboardStat m_Keyboard;
   CMouseStat m_Mouse;
 
+#if defined(HAS_LIRC) || defined(HAS_IRSERVERSUITE)
+  CRemoteControl m_RemoteControl;
+#endif
+
 #ifdef HAS_EVENT_SERVER
   std::map<std::string, std::map<int, float> > m_lastAxisMap;
 #endif
diff --git a/xbmc/input/linux/LIRC.cpp b/xbmc/input/linux/LIRC.cpp
index e167d06171bbb..526dfc645f1a3 100644
--- a/xbmc/input/linux/LIRC.cpp
+++ b/xbmc/input/linux/LIRC.cpp
@@ -37,8 +37,6 @@
 #include "settings/AdvancedSettings.h"
 #include "utils/TimeUtils.h"
 
-CRemoteControl g_RemoteControl;
-
 CRemoteControl::CRemoteControl():
   m_deviceName(LIRC_DEVICE)
 {
diff --git a/xbmc/input/linux/LIRC.h b/xbmc/input/linux/LIRC.h
index 386a353b8f11d..7d47edd49d676 100644
--- a/xbmc/input/linux/LIRC.h
+++ b/xbmc/input/linux/LIRC.h
@@ -65,6 +65,4 @@ class CRemoteControl
   int         m_nrSending;
 };
 
-extern CRemoteControl g_RemoteControl;
-
 #endif
diff --git a/xbmc/input/windows/IRServerSuite.cpp b/xbmc/input/windows/IRServerSuite.cpp
index efa0351a6ef29..33fb8a2c11ddb 100644
--- a/xbmc/input/windows/IRServerSuite.cpp
+++ b/xbmc/input/windows/IRServerSuite.cpp
@@ -29,8 +29,6 @@
 
 #define IRSS_PORT 24000
 
-CRemoteControl g_RemoteControl;
-
 CRemoteControl::CRemoteControl() : CThread("RemoteControl")
 {
   m_socket = INVALID_SOCKET;
@@ -75,7 +73,8 @@ void CRemoteControl::Reset()
 
 void CRemoteControl::Initialize()
 {
-  if (m_isConnecting || m_bInitialized) return;
+  if (m_isConnecting || m_bInitialized || IsRunning())
+    return;
   //trying to connect when there is nothing to connect to is kinda slow so kick it off in a thread.
   Create();
 }
diff --git a/xbmc/input/windows/IRServerSuite.h b/xbmc/input/windows/IRServerSuite.h
index a310665c3a25e..d227a3876e4d7 100644
--- a/xbmc/input/windows/IRServerSuite.h
+++ b/xbmc/input/windows/IRServerSuite.h
@@ -62,5 +62,3 @@ class CRemoteControl : CThread
 
   bool HandleRemoteEvent(CIrssMessage& message);
 };
-
-extern CRemoteControl g_RemoteControl;
diff --git a/xbmc/interfaces/Builtins.cpp b/xbmc/interfaces/Builtins.cpp
index 07108e4273056..8d0a0c633eaac 100644
--- a/xbmc/interfaces/Builtins.cpp
+++ b/xbmc/interfaces/Builtins.cpp
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #include "Autorun.h"
 #include "Builtins.h"
 #include "input/ButtonTranslator.h"
+#include "input/InputManager.h"
 #include "FileItem.h"
 #include "addons/GUIDialogAddonSettings.h"
 #include "dialogs/GUIDialogFileBrowser.h"
@@ -1772,29 +1773,6 @@ int CBuiltins::Execute(const std::string& execString)
   {
     CApplicationMessenger::Get().CECStandby();
   }
-#if defined(HAS_LIRC) || defined(HAS_IRSERVERSUITE)
-  else if (execute == "lirc.stop")
-  {
-    g_RemoteControl.Disconnect();
-    g_RemoteControl.setUsed(false);
-  }
-  else if (execute == "lirc.start")
-  {
-    g_RemoteControl.setUsed(true);
-    g_RemoteControl.Initialize();
-  }
-  else if (execute == "lirc.send")
-  {
-    std::string command;
-    for (int i = 0; i < (int)params.size(); i++)
-    {
-      command += params[i];
-      if (i < (int)params.size() - 1)
-        command += ' ';
-    }
-    g_RemoteControl.AddSendCommand(command);
-  }
-#endif
   else if (execute == "weather.locationset" && !params.empty())
   {
     int loc = atoi(params[0].c_str());
@@ -1851,6 +1829,6 @@ int CBuiltins::Execute(const std::string& execString)
     }
   }
   else
-    return -1;
+    return CInputManager::Get().ExecuteBuiltin(execute, params);
   return 0;
 }